Street Smart Psychology: Mindsets, Mantras & Character Strengths
This 4-week flexible positive psychology course teaches you how to use mindsets, mantras, self-compassion, and your strengths to reach your full potential every day.
Kori Miller, MA - Educational Psychology
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(1)
What's included
Homework
1-2 hours per week. All assignments are due by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. (Your time zone) Week #1 Assignments: 1. Read "Mantra" at: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mantra 2. Read "Failure and the Art of Juggling" at: https://medium.com/ardent-path-journal/failure-and-the-art-of-juggling-530a7da7a4a6?source=friends_link&sk=b37e779e241592befbedfb732885e9a1 3. Read "5+ Ways to Develop and Growth Mindset Using Grit & Resilience at: https://positivepsychology.com/5-ways-develop-grit-resilience/ 4. Create your personal mantra using what you've learned about mindsets. You can use any photo editing tool already available to you. 5. Post an image of your mantra in this section's Outschool classroom. 6. Write a one-page, double-spaced reflection paper that includes your perspective about growth mindsets and mantras. 7. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way. Week #2 Assignments: 1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview." 2. Watch this week's video about the structure of the brain: Dan Siegel "The Adolescent Brain" - https://youtu.be/0O1u5OEc5eY 3. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way. Week #3 Assignments: 1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview." 2. Read "5 Steps to Develop Self-Compassion" and "Memories, Misinformation, and You." 3. Complete the self-compassion reflection project. For this reflection assignment, I invite you to express yourself using one of three ways: * 1-page, double-spaced paper * 3-5 minute recording uploaded as a mp3 * 1-page drawing uploaded as a jpeg 4. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way. Week #4 Assignments: 1. Read/Watch the "Topic overview." 2. Read "What are your signature strengths?" 3. Take the youth VIA survey. 4. Develop an action plan for using two of your strengths more mindfully. 5. Respond to the discussion question. Comment on one other post by a classmate. This comment should add to the conversation in a meaningful way.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Positive Psychology is an investigation and exploration of human flourishing and wellbeing. Researchers ask questions like: "What is happiness?" "How can a person experience a more meaningful life?" "What is resilience?" "How does our mindset affect our success?" And much more! This 4-week course shows students how to apply the research to their everyday lives. In week one, we'll begin with a discussion about mindsets and mantras. Students will discover how and why our mindset affects us every day. They'll create and share their own mantra and upload it to our Outschool classroom page. In week two, we'll discuss some important information about the brain, but only the basics. Our focus is on the prefrontal cortex (executive functioning) and temporal area, specifically the limbic system. After brain basics, we'll dive into self-compassion during week three. What is it? How does it differ from compassion and empathy? We'll conclude our 4-week exploration with an investigation of our strengths and values. *This is a flex class, so we won't meet live. Students show their learning through participation in the weekly classroom activities and assignments. To create a sense of community in our Outschool classroom, each student will comment on peer activity postings at least once each week, or as directed in that week's assignments. I'll be available to help and will provide individual feedback throughout the course. *The prerecorded videos will include lecture and/or slides. Students will ONLY communicate with each other through the discussion board within our Outschool classroom. The level of interaction depends upon the student. The expectation is a minimum of two posts per discussion thread every week. Students should expect that I also may comment in response to their posts. Each week, I'll upload a video covering that week's lesson by 9 a.m. CDT. To help keep students focused, some lessons may include more than one brief video. If this is the case, videos will be 5-7 minutes long. Students complete assigned activities related to the video. Happy learning! Kori
Learning Goals
1. Students will define what a growth mindset is and give one example.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of growth mindset to create a personal mantra
3. Students will discover how our brain works to influence our thoughts and behaviors.
4. Students will develop their own self-compassion plan.
5. Students will complete the VIA Character Survey to identify their strengths and values.
6. Students will construct a plan to use two of their strengths more mindfully.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There isn't any inappropriate content.
Supply List
Students need to access the information listed in the "homework" and "materials" sections. All the resources are free, but might require an email to sign-up. The VIA survey is available for students age 10-17. Eighteen-year-old students can take the adult version of the survey. Here are the links for both: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register#youth https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register#adult
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Review the "homework" and "materials" sections for details.
Joined September, 2020
5.0
1reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
My studies include a master's degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University; a graduate certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia; a bachelor's degree in Psychology; and, I'm a certified life coach. During graduate school, I completed 8-week courses in MBSR training through Palouse Mindfulness and the Science of Happiness offered by UC Berkeley — once as an online TA. I teach pre-k through 12th grade in three school districts as a substitute teacher. In this capacity, I've worked with children who have educational and behavioral challenges such as ADHD, ADD, ODD, test anxiety, and trouble reading. I've worked in basic skills and resource classrooms either as the lead teacher or a para-educator. As a freelance writer and editor, I explore the intersection of positive, neuro, and behavioral psychology. My work is available to read through several sources: PositivePsychology.com, Thrive Global, Ardent Path Journal, The Ascent, Better Humans, Publishous, The Startup, The Writing Cooperative, The Post-Grad Survival Guide, and Fine Lines Literary Journal. Reviews
Live Group Class
$14
weekly4 weeks
Completed by 4 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
